Installing a wooden privacy screen: reed screen, lattice panel or fence

A wooden privacy screen creates an intimacy shield in a few hours, whether on a balcony, a terrace or along a passage. This guide is for DIYers who want to protect themselves from prying eyes or the wind without launching into major masonry work. You will find the right material, the installation method and the suitable treatment for a durable installation.

Choosing the right material: reed screen, lattice panel or slats

The reed or bamboo screen, often sold in 1 × 3 m rolls, is the most economical and fastest solution, with a lifespan of 3 to 5 years. The wooden lattice panel, made of interwoven diamond slats, lets air and a little light through while hiding from prying eyes. The fence in autoclave-treated pine slats is the most durable: it lasts 15 to 20 years if well maintained.

1. Measure the length to screen and the desired height (160 to 200 cm depending on local regulations)
2. Choose the material: reed screen (economical), lattice panel (light) or autoclave-treated slats (durable)
3. Check the support: wall, railing or posts to set in the ground
4. Select the suitable fixings (stainless screws, clips, setting brackets) according to the support
5. Allow a 5 cm margin for the cuts and the corner returns

Installing the posts and fixing the panels

For a slat fence on posts, space the posts 180 cm apart maximum and set them in 30 × 30 cm holes at least 50 cm deep with ready-mix concrete. Let it dry 24 hours before screwing the slats. For a reed screen, stretch it well and fix it with clips about every 30 cm, doubling the fixings at the top and bottom. On a balcony railing, weigh down the base with bags of gravel, because a reed screen catches the wind like a sail; on a wall, use anchors suited to the support: expansion anchors for concrete, drive-in anchors for solid brick.

Treating the wood for outdoor use

Raw wood must be treated before installation to prevent it from graying and cracking: apply an exterior stain or sealer in two coats, respecting a 6 to 12 hour interval between the two. Autoclave-treated pine is already protected against insects and moisture: it can stay as is or be stained for aesthetics, renewing every 1 to 2 years.

Precautions and mistakes to avoid

• Forgetting to check the height allowed by the local urban planning plan
• Installing untreated slats in contact with the ground: they rot in 2 to 3 years
• Spacing the posts more than 2 m apart: the slats sag under the wind
• Stretching the reed screen unevenly: it buckles and offers more windage

Installing a privacy screen or wooden fence immediately transforms the use of a balcony, terrace or garden. By choosing a suitable material and taking care with the installation of the posts and the wood treatment, you get a clean result that lasts for years. Allow half a day to two days depending on the length, for a real gain in privacy.